Becky Harman's Research

I am using a multi-species comparative model system to study molecular mechanisms that contribute to breast cancer susceptibility and resistance. Our lab has established a collection of mammosphere-derived epithelial cells (MDEC) from a variety of domestic and wild mammalian species, some of which tend to develop mammary cancer and others which do not, or only very rarely. We use these cells for in vitro and in vivo comparative experiments designed to reveal mechanisms that underly the initiation of breast cancer. This information may increase our understanding why some humans develop breast cancer, while others do not.

Currently, my in vitro studies are focused on the association between micro RNA (miRNA) expression patterns and susceptibility to mammary cancer. miRNA sequencing of MDEC indicated that several miRNAs are differentially, or even exclusively, expressed between species with a high and a low mammary cancer incidence. I am currently performing functional experiments to better understand the role of these miRNAs.